There’s something unmistakable about September. Apples hit their peak. Crickets chirp louder at night. The light shifts, the air thins, and kids trudge back to school in stiff sneakers. It’s not quite fall—not yet—but the new season is stirring just below the surface.| www.onlypicturebooks.com
There’s something unmistakable about September. Apples hit their peak. Crickets chirp louder at night. The light shifts, the air thins, and kids trudge back to school in stiff sneakers. It’s not quite fall—not yet—but the new season is stirring just below the surface. (And yes, there is fall in Florida. Sort of.) This Bonus Goody … Continue reading Picture Book List: 12 Picture Books That Feel Like September| Only Picture Books
My Writing Picture Books class is building picture book dummies this week, so spread planning is on my desk and in my head. We had a great time folding paper and stapling up dummies in class last week, too. If you’re new to making dummies, start with these two resources: How to Craft a Picture … Continue reading Industry Insights: Read and Write in Spreads| Only Picture Books
Book description from Goodreads: “An unforgettable lyrical picture book that celebrates biracial identity from the award-winning author of Paper The Inspiring Story of Tyrus Wong, Immigrant and Artist.| Only Picture Books
This month on the OPB Author Interview Series, we’re delighted to feature Susan Hughes—an award-winning Canadian author and freelance editor with more than 30 books to her name. Susan’s picture books range from joyful read-alouds like Hooray for Trucks to powerful nonfiction like Walking in the City with Jane and Walking for Water. Her books … Continue reading Author Interview: Susan Hughes| Only Picture Books
Each week, I sift through stacks of new picture books looking for the ones that feel fresh, moving, or just plain fun. These five-word reviews are my way of marking what caught my eye and held it. Not full critiques, just honest first impressions drawn from voice, feeling, and the spark of something well made. … Continue reading Picture Book Review: 5‑word reviews (Big Boy Joy; Diego Fuego; No More Chairs; Pencil’s Best Story Ever; To Catch a Ghost)| Only Picture Books
At our ACQUIRED! workshop this weekend, guest illustrator Fred Koehler shared a simple idea that lit up the room: write lines that give artists room to invent. He calls it “illustrator bait.” Your job as the text writer is to aim the scene and the feeling, then leave space for visual problem-solving. That space is where style, timing, and humor explode.| www.onlypicturebooks.com
At our ACQUIRED! workshop this weekend, guest illustrator Fred Koehler shared a simple idea that lit up the room: write lines that give artists room to invent. He calls it “illustrator bait.” Your job as the text writer is to aim the scene and the feeling, then leave space for visual problem-solving. That space is … Continue reading Insider Insights: Illustrator Bait–Write Lines that Invite Art| Only Picture Books
Shark Girl Author: Kate Beaton Illustrator: Kate Beaton 25 February 2025 Roaring Brook Press 48 pages Book description from Goodreads: “When Shark Girl is captured by an evil fishing captain’s net, she makes a vow… for REVENGE! With the sea witch’s help, Shark Girl becomes a human sailor and launches a plan… for MUTINY! But … Continue reading Reading Activities: Shark Girl by Kate Beaton| Only Picture Books
This month, we’re thrilled to welcome Lindsay H. Metcalf to the Only Picture Books Author interview series! Lindsay’s lyrical nonfiction and activist poetry have won plenty of awards—including the Green Earth Book Award and the ILA Social Justice Literature Award—and her growing body of work continues to inspire young readers to care about the world and their place in it.| Only Picture Books
Looking for your next picture book crush? These five-word reviews cut straight to the heart of what makes each new release stand out—no overthinking, just instinct. They’re not deep dives, but quick snapshots of books that surprised, delighted, or stuck with me for one reason or another. Let’s see which ones grab you too! The … Continue reading Picture Book Review: 5‑word reviews (The Bear Out There; Don’t Lose Mr. Cuddles; Island Storm; Put Your Shoes On; What Coco Can Do)| Only Picture Books
This past weekend, I presented at the 2025 Writer’s Digest Conference in Baltimore, and wow—the energy was electric. Thanks to Amy, Moriah, Taylor, Robert, and all the great folks at Writer’s Digest for putting this together!| Only Picture Books
Book description from Goodreads: “Take to the sidewalk with this colorful picture book to inspire artistic expression and imagination!| www.onlypicturebooks.com
If you’ve been following OPB lately, you might’ve noticed that our Week 2 and Week 4 posts have started stretching a little. Originally, Week 2 was meant to focus strictly on interviews with authors or illustrators. Week 4 was for interviews with industry insiders. And while we love interviews (and have some great ones coming soon), we’re also opening the door a little bit wider now.| Only Picture Books